I followed Director Wang to a steamed bun shop. I come to this shop often, but it’s still too early so no one is buying food.
Director Wang seemed to be quite familiar with the boss. He greeted the boss, ordered some food, and then pulled me to sit in a corner.
I looked around and saw no one around, so I whispered, "Director Wang, what's going on? Why is it so urgent? Tell me quickly."
Director Wang showed an awkward expression on his face and whispered, "It's like this. Two days ago, my brother suddenly disappeared when he was returning to our hometown."
"Someone is missing? You should go find the police, why are you looking for me?" I asked curiously.
"No, this matter is very strange. It's useless to call the police. I only have this one brother. You must find a way to save him." Director Wang became anxious when he said this.
I saw that Director Wang was indeed very anxious. It seemed that his brother was very important to him. I asked, "Why is it useless to call the police? What is the specific weird method?"
"My brother recorded a voice message before he disappeared and sent it to me. I thought it was a prank, but I didn't expect he was really missing."
"Recording? Let me listen to it." I suddenly became curious.
"After dinner, come to my office and I'll play it for you. It's not convenient here. By the way, can you call Brother Li as well? The price is easy to negotiate, as long as he can save my brother." Director Wang said.
After hearing this, I nodded and called Li Mingyao. I didn’t give any specific instructions, but just asked him to come to our bun shop as soon as possible.
After waiting for about twenty minutes, Li Mingyao slowly arrived. Director Wang and I had almost finished our meal. Director Wang anxiously pulled us into his office, closed the door, and turned on the computer.
Turning on the computer, Director Wang fiddled with it for a while, and a man's sobbing voice came from the speakers: "Red Inn, there is a lot of money in it, I don't know why I came in, but it's completely different inside, a lot of people came out, these things want to kill me, brother you must come to save me, I saw the location of this inn is..." A busy tone came from the back.
Li Mingyao and I looked at each other. Just like that, what was the final location? I could tell that the man sounded very scared, as if he had seen something terrible. I said to Li Mingyao, "Old Li, did you hear anything?"
Li Mingyao frowned and said, "It's very strange. Listen carefully again. When this man was talking, someone was laughing beside him."
Director Wang listened to what Li Mingyao said and played it again. Sure enough, we didn't pay attention at first and only listened to this person's voice, but now when we listened carefully, we actually found a lot of weird laughter, from children, old people, and women. The laughter sounded even more weird.
Li Mingyao held his chin and thought for a while, then said, "If I'm not mistaken, your brother must have come across the Red Gate Inn."
"Red Gate Inn?" I asked curiously.
Li Mingyao said seriously: "Yes, I also saw this in an ancient book. I'm not sure if it is true. If it is, then it will be troublesome."
"According to records, the last time the Red Gate Inn appeared was during the Tang Dynasty. It was said that an official from the imperial court went to the capital overnight. In the middle of the night, he wanted to rest but couldn't find a place to stay. Then he found an inn. The exterior of the inn was all blood red, and inside there was singing and dancing, and there were beautiful women everywhere. Then the official went in with more than 30 servants. More than 30 people never came out again. Only one servant was watching over the carriage outside and didn't go in. That's how he escaped."
"So powerful? Then my brother is dead?" Director Wang said crying.
I felt a little bit reluctant when I saw it and wanted to say something, but Li Mingyao quietly pulled me and gave me a wink. I understood this because Li Mingyao had told me before that although our duty is to exorcise demons, the premise is that we must do it within our ability. However, if we encounter something that we cannot control, it is best not to touch it, otherwise we will just leave it there.
I could only sigh helplessly, but I thought of a person in my mind, Taoist Qingfeng. He is so powerful, he must have a way, so I said to Director Wang: "Director Wang, I know someone who is very powerful. Maybe he can help you, but his fee is quite expensive."
Director Wang was crying like a tearful person, but when he heard that there was hope, he immediately said, "Money is not a problem, as long as my brother can be saved, please contact him immediately, this matter cannot be delayed."
I nodded, took out my cell phone, found Taoist Qingfeng's number and called him.
"Hello, Xiao Jiuzi, are you looking for me for something that you can't solve again?" Taoist Qingfeng asked on the other end of the phone.
He really knows me very well. Would I call a grown man if there was nothing going on? Would I even have a heart-to-heart talk with him
"Brother Qingfeng, how are you doing recently? I'm in a little trouble. Can you come and help me? The price is negotiable." I said directly with a smile. You can't beat around the bush with this old bastard. Just say whatever's wrong.
"Well, where is it? I'm playing in Chongqing. If it's urgent, I'll come here right away." Taoist Qingfeng said.
I was very happy when I heard that. Chongqing is very close to Chengdu. I said to Taoist Qingfeng, "I'm in Chengdu. I'd better give the phone to my employer to talk to you."
After saying that, I handed the phone to Director Wang. After Director Wang took it, he started talking to Taoist Qingfeng, probably about some price issues.
Li Mingyao and I started chatting instead. Of course, Li Mingyao asked me who was on the other end of the phone. I told Li Mingyao that it was an old bastard from Longhu Mountain.
Later, after Director Wang finished his call, he told us that Taoist Qingfeng should be here this afternoon. I was very happy too. After all, Taoist Qingfeng had helped me twice, and I still had a good impression of him.
Then I took Li Mingyao with me and started to tour around. He grew up on Mount Maoshan and had never been to school. He was actually very curious about school.
Around three o'clock in the afternoon, Director Wang called me and wanted us to go together to pick up Taoist Qingfeng, and I did not postpone.
Director Wang, Li Mingyao and I were standing at the station waiting for Taoist Qingfeng. At about 4:30, Taoist Qingfeng arrived. He was still dressed fashionably and wearing sunglasses. As soon as he came out, he saw me and walked towards us.
But when he came to us, he didn't greet me or Director Wang. Instead, he looked at Li Mingyao, frowned, and said, "Are you a disciple of Maoshan?"
"Yes, you must be the senior from Mount Longhu. I'm here to show my courtesy." Li Mingyao said as he bowed to Taoist Qingfeng according to ancient etiquette.
Taoist Qingfeng stared at Li Mingyao for about ten seconds and said, "You Maoshan people are going backwards as time goes by. You actually use this method. Humph."
Taoist Qingfeng looked unhappy, which made me feel strange. I wanted to ask him something but it didn't seem appropriate.
Li Mingyao was also surprised when Qingfeng said this, "I have to obey my master's orders, alas."
"You'll have to take care of this matter yourself. You have to believe in karma. Remember that!"
I felt that these two people were becoming more and more mysterious, so I handed a cigarette to Taoist Qingfeng and asked, "Brother Qingfeng, what's going on? Tell me."
"Little kid, don't mind so much. Knowing too much may not be a good thing." Taoist Qingfeng said sternly. After that, he ignored me and Li Mingyao and started talking to Director Wang instead.
Instead, I asked Li Mingyao, "Old Li, what are you talking about? I always feel like you two have some secret. Are you two gay?"
"Get lost. I'll say what I want to say when I want to. Let's deal with this matter first." After saying that, he ignored me.
I scratched my hair and thought about it, but still couldn't figure it out. The main reason was that these two people were too good at being mysterious. It was okay at the beginning when I didn't know, but now I always feel that there is some secret that I don't know, but I want to know. This may be the reason why curiosity killed the cat.